Children and young people feel anxious sometimes. In some cases it may be a normal part of growing up. For example, some young children may have separation anxiety and become clingy when they’re not with their parents or carers. This is usually a temporary stage and should stop by itself in time. If it doesn’t, it might be a sign that there is something wrong and they need help. If you think that your child is anxious, there are many things you can do to help them. The first thing to do is to make an appointment with your GP. You can go with your child or they may be able to see the GP on their own. Your GP can check whether they might have an anxiety disorder and, if they do, refer them for further assessment with your local children and young people’s mental health services (CYPMHS).
Anxiety is a common problem in kids. It can cause a wide range of symptoms including:
Kids who have anxiety often have difficulty telling others how they feel. This makes it hard for their family and friends to understand them. They can also have physical symptoms, such as a churning stomach, a hot face, clammy hands, or a rapid heartbeat. If these symptoms get worse, a GP can refer your child for psychological therapy. There are two types of psychological treatments that have been scientifically proven to work for kids with anxiety:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps children change the unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that lead to their anxiety. They might learn new skills in therapy and receive “homework” to practice at home. Some kids with anxiety might have to try more than one type of treatment before they start to feel better.
Sometimes, a doctor might prescribe medication to help reduce your child’s anxiety. Medicines are generally only used for children who have serious anxiety and don’t improve with other treatments.
There are a number of different medications that can be used to treat anxiety, and the best one will depend on your child’s individual needs. Your child’s doctor will discuss the available options with you and decide what will be best for your child.
Talking therapies can be a helpful way to treat anxiety. They can be done in person, over the phone or through an online platform such as Fear-Less Triple P Online. The most effective treatment for anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. Children who have anxiety often respond well to CBT and may get better within a few sessions.
It can be tempting to try to protect kids from things that make them anxious. However, avoiding the things that make them anxious can actually make them worse over the long term. For example, if you whisk your child out of a situation that makes them anxious because they’re upset, they will never learn that the scary things aren’t really dangerous. Instead, you can teach them how to cope with anxiety by encouraging them to talk about it, distracting them and giving them calming techniques such as deep breathing.